When Simeon blesses God (Luke 2:28-32), he declares the sum of God's counsels regarding the Gentiles and Israel alike. The Child is God's "Salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." That's what He would have been if that nation had received Him—and that is what He will be when they do receive Him.
Simeon, also, expresses his own joy that he derives from the presence of the Child in his arms—a joy which banishes any fear of death: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation." The presence of the Savior is everything to his soul.
Then, when Simeon blesses the parents (vv. 34, 35), he shows what the presentation of the Child to man will produce from man.
,:. Its effect would be the "fall and rising again of many in Israel." Some would stumble at the lowly, humble One in their midst, while others would be raised up by God. Also, "the thoughts of many hearts" would be revealed by His presence. He would be a touchstone, bringing out what was in the hearts of many. And so He was—and is. There is nothing like Christ to draw out and expose what is in man's heart—whether regenerate or unregenerate man. (See John 1:9; 3:19-21.)
Mary's own soul would know the pain of seeing her Child rejected, abused, and slain. She would feel it as a mother would feel it according to natural affections. In this natural link and its dissolution, we may, also, see the breaking of Messiah's natural ties with Israel. (See John 20:17; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17.)
He would be "for a sign which shall be spoken against." That He was spoken against is abundantly plain. I take it that He was "a sign" in the sense of Isa. 7:14. (See, also, Luke 1:34, 35.) He was a sign of the goodness of God, who would deliver His people, despite their failure and sin, if they would only repent and turn again to their God. (See Isa. 7-8.)
D. Graham